The Emperor had made Mu TianChi the Crown Prince by Imperial Decree. However, in actuality, the Crowning Ceremony hasn’t been held yet.
The Ministry of Rites was in charge of making arrangements for the ceremony and all related matters. In order to satisfy the Emperor and the Crown Prince, the Ministry of Rites and the Astronomy department picked out several auspicious dates for the Emperor to choose from.
The Emperor has tasted the benefits of making the Crown Prince do his dirty work and already started to pass on more tasks to the Crown Prince. The date of the Crowning Ceremony naturally required the Crown Prince’s opinion. To the Emperor’s surprise, the Crown Prince picked the farthest date possible, an auspicious date in 6 months.
Because the Jing Estate had already changed title to the Crown Prince’s Estate, everyone also changed how they addressed the Crown Prince. In actuality, however, there was still one more step to officially becoming the Crown Prince. The Crowning Ceremony was the last of this step and it couldn’t be avoided.
The Emperor never expected the Crown Prince would feel so unrushed. However, recalling that Taizi-fei still had two months before childbirth, the Emperor seemed to have understood.
Because this date was one of many suggested by the Ministry of Rite, it’s not like it was impossible. The date was a bit further in the future, however, it did give more time to prepare properly.
Since the Crown Prince wanted this date, the Emperor had no qualms; he very energetically approved it.
After learning that the Crowning Ceremony was going to be conducted after he gave birth, Li Yu secretly sighed in relief.
His body was heavier and heavier now. As the Taizi-fei, he also needed to show up at the Crowning Ceremony. It’s rumored that in this kind of important ceremony, he also needed to offer prayer and sacrifice to the gods. It might even take an entire day, which would feel very unbearable for him with a big stomach.
In order to prepare for this day, Li Yu gathered his courage to ask Wang Xi to help him make a lot of soft cushions for emergency use. Now that they were no longer necessary, Li Yu rejoiced.
The Crown Prince wasn’t one to take credit for his achievements. As long as Li Yu didn’t worry, he was happy. Wang Xi knew the actual truth and felt unbearable keeping quiet. Since the Crown Prince didn’t say anything, Wang-gonggong ended up blabbering about this for the Crown Prince’s sake.
By this time, the Crown Prince had been working at the Ministry of Rites for a period of time already. Now that the date of the Crowning Ceremony was set, originally it wasn’t within the area of consideration for the Ministry of Rites, however because it was quite a number of days away, they were afraid that the Crown Prince might be unhappy. It was the Crown Prince who personally found the head of the Ministry of Rites to discuss this, finalizing these extra days. It was also the Crown Prince who did his best to recommend this day to the Emperor.
Wang Xi shook out all of these behind-the-scenes events. Li Yu’s feelings of rejoice turned to appreciation.
The Crown Prince needed to go through the Crowning Ceremony to make his title official. It can be seen from this how important the Crowning Ceremony was to a Crown Prince. Li Yu was well aware of this. That’s why he was willing to suffer through it no matter how hard it would be.
Yet the Crown Prince actually willingly postponed such an important ceremony just for him, just to make it more convenient for him. Although the Crown Prince couldn’t share his labor pains, he really had done lots and lots for Li Yu already.
Li Yu was also willing to be a little more braver for the Crown Prince. Even if labor was going to hurt like hell, he can just bite the other a few more times after childbirth for revenge.
The remaining days ticked down one by one. Li Yu no longer felt as scared.
As the days passed, his stomach grew bigger and bigger. This was indicating that the little sweetie pie was also growing.
After the 9th month passed halfway, Li Yu could no longer see his feet because of how big his stomach was, just like a rubber ball. Previously, Li Yu still busied himself with making love bentos. Now he didn’t dare to cook by himself. Even if he dared, the Crown Prince wouldn’t allow him. The love bentos can only be put aside for now.
After his stomach got heavy, not only did moving around become restricted, sleeping was also hard. Li Yu was a little better at night, but he had great troubles falling asleep for noon naps. After the Crown Prince found this out, he would get up every morning for court and then rush back during noon time to eat with Li Yu and nap. Once Li Yu fell into a deep sleep, then he’d head out again. Li Yu would only feel a little more comfortable while being held.
Xiao Luo was someone who hated being idle. She always thought about solving difficulties for her masters. Seeing this situation, she quietly said to Qin-shi: “It’s really not good for his highness to be always running around back and forth. Why don’t we make a huge soft pillow for the master?”
“Even you can think this up. Do you think his highness wouldn’t be able to?” Qin-shi smiled. His highness was probably eager to spoil master some more. Why would he feel tired?
Xiao Luo was a girl. After hearing Qin-shi’s wisdom, she finally understood. Qin-shi used the words that Wang Xi had once taught her and said profoundly to Xiao Luo: “In the future, you’ll understand this even better.”
Xiao Luo nodded her head with a blush.
The time flew by super quickly. This morning after waking up, Li Yu felt his back was somewhat sore. However, it wasn’t 10 months yet so Li Yu didn’t pay too much attention. After finishing breakfast, he normally walked around in the courtyard. Wang Xi always cleaned up the courtyard himself every single day. There wasn’t even a single speck of dust on the ground.
With Xiao Luo and other servant’s support, Li Yu was walking around. For some unknown reason, today his legs also felt extremely tired. He only walked a few steps and he was already done.
Li Yu didn’t dare to keep forcing himself. Finding a chair, he sat for a while. When he got up, he lost his balance. Luckily Xiao Luo was present and supported him.
Li Yu felt his heart pounding. Although he didn’t fall, he just felt strange all over.
Xiao Luo understood medicine. After checking Li Yu’s pulse, she hastily asked him to sit down and called for someone to get the doctor. Taizi-fei was close to childbirth. The Crown Prince also hired his own doctor that lived right inside the estate. When the doctor came, the imperial physicians that came by everyday also arrived. Together they assessed Li Yu’s health and all said that Taizi-fei was in labor. Wang Xi already invited the midwives over. Receiving the imperial physicians’ confirmation, he rapidly ran off to find the Crown Prince.
We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
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Although the labor had started, it was still some time until the actual birth. The midwives wanted Li Yu to do his best to eat some things and then walk around some more to make the birthing process easier.
Li Yu has heard the JinJue Princess talk about this process many times before. By the time the midwives arrived, Li Yu finally started feeling his stomach hurting a little.
Not an intense pain, more of a dull ache. It was painful to a certain degree that his back started to feel sore, however, it was still within what he could endure. After a while, this sore ache eased.
The midwives stated that everyone’s labor experiences were different. Some people only knew pain. Others would feel a sore back. When the pain started occurring more frequently, then the birthing would finally begin.
Li Yu knew these steps extremely thoroughly by now. Xiao Luo came over and handed Li Yu a bowl of recently cooked shrimp dumplings. Li Yu felt pretty good and even ate the dumplings with a spoon himself. Seeing Xiao Luo’s anxious face, Li Yu was still in the mood to joke.
It was already a time like this. The extremely apprehensive Li Yu, now actually became far more composed. It was already time to give birth anyways, what’s there to be afraid of! Just close your eyes and do it, that’s all!
The Crown Prince must be on the road already. Li Yu thought about the hubby and embarrassingly felt a bit weepy.
He had hoped that the Crown Prince would come back. However, he never expected it’d be this quickly. When the Crown Prince suddenly appeared, Li Yu didn’t even finish eating one bowl of shrimp dumplings. He had half of a dumpling in his mouth, cheek slightly bulging as he chewed chewed chewed.
The Crown Prince barged through the door. Li Yu received quite a shock and even dropped the other half of the dumpling that was on his spoon.
“Xiao Yu!” The Crown Prince had no one else in his eyes. Charging over in a hurry, he pulled Li Yu into his arms. Xiao Luo and Wang Xi self-consciously stepped to the side and served as the background.
“TianChi, I’m about to give birth!” Li Yu hugged him tightly in return.
Actually, Li Yu still felt somewhat afraid internally. With the Crown Prince’s arrival, he gained courage.
“Don’t be afraid…… I’ll accompany you.” The Crown Prince said gently, helping Li Yu wipe away the sweat on his forehead.
Nodding his head, Li Yu finally noticed that the Crown Prince, who was usually steady like a mountain, had a pale white face. His hands were also faintly shaking. His appearance right now was probably even more nervous than Li Yu, who was about to “enter the battle.”
Li Yu felt both amused and emotional. He was even in the mood to tease the Crown Prince: “Your highness, did you request a leave of absence?”
“…….I forgot.” After receiving the news about Xiao Yu giving birth soon, the Crown Prince directly returned to the estate, not even having time to say anything to the high official.
Li Yu laughed out loud.
The Crown Prince picked up the bowl and fed Li Yu some more dumplings and also a piece of peach blossom cookie.
Li Yu’s stomach just stopped for a bit, but now it was starting to hurt again. This time it was more painful than last time, sore enough to make him feel uncomfortable.
Li Yu couldn’t speak and bit his lips firmly, wanting to get through this wave.
The Crown Prince pulled up his sleeve and moved his hand over. With reddened eyes, Li Yu shook his head. The hubby came to see him. It’s best not to bite him.
After this wave of pain passed, the midwives asked Li Yu to get up and walk around some more again. Just now, Li Yu was in such pain that his legs felt numb. However, he had no choice here. He needed to walk. Xiao Luo came over to support Li Yu, but the Crown Prince said: “Let me.”
He cradled Li Yu and let Li Yu lean against him as they started walking extremely slowly.
Li Yu’s clothes were soaked with sweat. At this time, he still felt like this was something he could endure.
Li Yu walked for some unknown amount of time. When he started hurting, he’d sit down for some rest. When he got better, he’d continue to walk. The cycle repeated. Every once in a while the midwives would come over to touch Li Yu’s stomach. Finally they said: “It’s time to enter the delivery room.”
“……I need to go.” Li Yu said softly.
He did his best to purse his lips, wanting to obtain one last kiss of victory.
The Crown Prince kissed the corner of his mouth and held his hand saying: “Go ahead.”
Li Yu: “…….”
Li Yu was somewhat conflicted about the Crown Prince’s decisiveness. The Crown Prince didn’t seem reluctant at all. However, Li Yu found his answer very quickly afterwards.
The Crown Prince didn’t actually hand him over to the midwives. Instead, he accompanied Li Yu into the delivery room.
Li Yu followed the midwives’ words and laid down on the bed. He thought the Crown Prince was finally about to take his leave, however, the Crown Prince didn’t look like he planned to leave at all and continued to guard by the bedside.
The midwives were all rushing about, completely ignoring the Crown Prince’s presence. Clearly, they’ve been warned ahead of time.
“You–”
How come you’re not leaving yet? Li Yu was incredulous.
In ancient times, the delivery room was considered a ‘dirty place’. Don’t even mention how respectable people won’t enter such a place, even very few men enter it normally. However, the Crown Prince had already stayed for quite some time.
“Xiao Yu, don’t be afraid. I will accompany you.” The Crown Prince said again.
Li Yu finally understood what the Crown Prince meant by accompany. He closed his eyes and nodded his head, allowing tears to flow from the corner of his eyes.
He took a deep, heavy breath, no longer afraid, even if he had to face a mountain of daggers and a sea of fire right now.
No matter how endless the pain was, there was always a pair of arms holding him tightly, giving him the strength and courage to endure.
Li Yu did his best to follow the midwives’ instructions. Before he had lost consciousness due to exhaustion, he seemed to have heard the sound of the System, a child’s cry and a familiar voice calling him……
After some unknown time passed, he opened his eyes and discovered that he was surrounded by an aura of light. Before him was the world inside the system.
He recalled briefly what had happened. He seemed to have fainted due to exhaustion. Did he enter the System because of this?
He was still trying to give birth. Was the little sweetie pie alright? And the Crown Prince. The Crown Prince was also waiting for him!
“…… Host, please don’t worry. You have already successfully completed the “Thoughtful Sweetie Pie” branch mission. Your daughter has already been added into your party.” The System promptly informed Li Yu.
The interface immediately showed the appropriate screen. The status of the “thoughtful sweetie pie” has been completed.
Hah. So he had finished giving birth?
As expected of me!
Li Yu completely forgot about the pain now that he was all better and started to feel smug.
Although the little sweetie pie was an infant after being birthed, not a fish, she still joined the party and can also be inspected using the “fish babies’ status” function.
Therefore, Li Yu immediately went to look at the little sweetie pie. He saw Xiao Luo and Qin-shi currently washing and wiping down a pink skinned, round faced, chubby little infant with thick hair.
Li Yu’s heart almost melted. This was his and the Crown Prince’s daughter.
This baby he raised extremely well. Although the little sweetie pie was just born, her skin wasn’t wrinkled at all. On the contrary, she looked very rosy and healthy.
As if knowing that he was looking at her, the little infant’s originally closed eyes suddenly opened. Those pitch black eyes stared into the air, as if she was looking at Li Yu through time and space.
Covering his mouth, Li Yu immediately laughed.
This child was just like him, and also like Mu TianChi. One glance was enough to tell that she was their kid.
He looked for a while, in a daze, until he couldn’t look anymore.
The System reminded Li Yu to accept the reward for the branch mission. Finally, Li Yu reluctantly turned to look at something else.
The reward this time was very unique. It increased his healing abilities and decreased the pain of giving birth.
Li Yu said to himself: What’s the point of giving this to me now? He had clearly experienced the hardest part already. The shitty System was really a cannon that fires belatedly.
The System was capable of reading the host’s thoughts very clearly: “If you’re not satisfied with the reward, host, would you like to cancel it?”
Li Yu: …… nooooo!! It’s better than nothing! Even if it’s belated, any decrease in pain was still a decrease!
Li Yu exited the System. This time, waking up was not very easy. His eyelids were so heavy, he almost couldn’t open them. Just now he felt pretty relaxed inside the System. However, after exiting the System, he immediately felt how feeble his body was. He was very grateful that he had accepted the reward already.
His body still hurt in waves, but it was much better than during labor. His throat was also so dry, it was about to emit smoke.
Moving his eyes, Li Yu looked around. The room that he was in was pitch black. Only one set of candles was lit, which allowed him to faintly recognize that this was the bedroom.
Looks like he has already been cleaned up and moved to the bedroom.
Li Yu cleared his thoughts and wanted to call for someone. Someone near him said first: “Xiao Yu……”
Li Yu was too familiar with this low husky voice and felt both surprised and delighted.
The light in the room was dim. He didn’t notice Mu TianChi at first and thought the other wasn’t here. In actuality, the other had been guarding him this whole time, waiting for him to wake up.
“Xiao Yu.” Mu TianChi didn’t allow him to get up. First he fed Li Yu a cup of warm tea and then summoned the Imperial Physicians to come assess Li Yu.
The Imperial Physicians actually already assessed Li Yu once while he was sleeping. The Crown prince had ordered them to check again to confirm that the Taizi-fei was fine.
Li Yu impatiently glanced outside of the room: “Where’s the little sweetie pie?”
Although he has already seen his daughter inside the System, he hasn’t held her properly in person.
Mu TianChi said with a smile: “Still getting cleaned up. Just wait a little more.”
Not long afterwards, Wang Xi carried a pink colored swaddling bundle over. The Crown Prince accepted it and carried the child next to Li Yu.
Li Yu touched his daughter’s hand and looked at the little sweetie pie’s rosy cheeks. She really looked exactly the same as what he had seen in the System. Fish dad kissed his daughter’s face in satisfaction.
Li Yu was extremely tired previously. Even staying awake for this brief moment sapped away his energy. Soon afterwards, he fell back asleep.
Mu TianChi covered him and their daughter snuggly with the blanket and kissed the two on their foreheads.
Footsteps came from outside of the room. The other kids came over.
“Dad, dad!” The kids all called out.
During the day, the kids were all studying in class. After learning Li Yu was about to give birth, the Emperor specifically brought the kids to Ganqing Palace and had them stay for a few hours longer. Now, he finally allowed them to return to the estate, just so the Crown Prince husbands didn’t have to be stressed.
“Shh……” Mu TianChi stopped the kids and said quietly: “Daddy is tired. Don’t wake him up.”
The kids nodded their heads and promised to not be noisy. The Crown Prince released them. Bao#1, Bao#2, Bao#3, and Bao#4 tiptoed their way around to the fish dad’s bed.
First, they looked at their little sister. Little sister was really so tiny, even smaller than the little sister in Uncle Ye’s home. Then they looked at fish dad. Fish dad was still sleeping heavily.
“We’ll wait for dad and wait for little sister.” The kids said happily.
Aaaaagh my heart ❤️ Finally we have our lil baby girl who’ll be pampered to death with her tyrant father, “demon” dad and 4 older brothers.
“Little cutie pie joined your party” (. ❛ ᴗ ❛.)
That was so sweet—who knew the system could be like that…at least momentarily! Hahaha!
Thank You for the chapter (｡’▽’｡)♡
thanks for the chapter!
THEY’RE SO CUTE 🥺🥰😖
Those 4 little baos are so adorable (´∨`)
Ahhhh my heart now we have 4 little Bao 🥰💜💜
The baos are gonna be SO PROTECTIVE of their little sis!!I can feel it in my only-child bones 🩻I ̶D̶o̶n̶’̶t̶wish I had siblings…